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Upgrade Desktop Inspiron 530 CPU
My question Is it worth going from a Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300 to an Intel Core 2 Duo E8300 for $100?
My 12 year old son at his Mom's house has a Dell Inspiron 530 built in February 2009 (system below). The processor is a Wolfdale E5300, 2.6, 2MB, 65W, R0 (800 MHz FSB). The desktop has the Foxconn G33M02 (LGA 775 socket) motherboard, which I understand is one of the two standard motherboards in the Inspiron 530 (the other being the G33M03), and that this G33M02 he has does not handle the Quad processors.
Apparently, the E8500 or E8600 (1333 MHz FSB, 6MB) (which I am finding in the $200 range) are the best performing processors for the motherboard, as long as the BIOS has the latest update? I have come across an E8300 for about $100. Is it worth going from a E5300 to an E8300 for $100?
I have 3GB RAM (DDR2 for this motherboard), integrated graphics, and apparently a 300 W power supply. Considering adding a graphics card: an HD 6670 (GDDR5 or maybe the cheaper DDR3) or an HD 7750. As with many people, would like to stick with the 400 W power supply, and replace with say a 500 W only if needed. I have also considered taking out the two 512 MB memory and putting in two 1 GB memory in their place in those two slots.
My question Is it worth going from a E5300 to an E8300 for $100? I have looked at a performance comparison at http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/383/Intel_Core_2_Duo_E8300_vs_Intel_Pentium_Dual-Core_E5300.html
But have a hard time interpreting the results. Seems like only about a 10% improvement generally speaking.
shesagordie
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May 29th, 2012 14:00
faries1987
Yes, it's worth upgrading the E5300 processor, to a Core 2 Duo E8300 @ $100.
On my 530 MT, I went from a Core 2 Duo E6320 to used Core 2 Duo, E8400, 3.0GHz and the speed was improved.
Prior to installing the processor, check that you have BIOS Version 1.0.16 installed, when support for new Intel CPU's was added.
Regards to the processor performance, you can can find the various CPU benchmarks HERE
Regards to memory, if you have a 32-bit system, then stay with the 3gb of RAM.
When you have a 32-bit system, this does not recognize 4gb of memory, 3±gb is all a 32-bit system can address.
Basically what it means is, while you can install 4gb of memory in the system, the reason it’s not recognized is mainly due to 32-bit processors and/or 32-bit applications on memory address limitations.
64-bit processors & operating systems will recognize beyond the 32-bit limitation.
Bev.
shesagordie
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May 29th, 2012 16:00
faries1987
Yep, the E8400 was a cheap upgrade, as I sold E6320 as an upgrade for a Vostro 200, always buy used CPU's for upgrades, only buy new for the new desktops I build, to date never had any issues with the 'used' processors. At the time, could not find any used E8500/E8600 CPU's at an affordable price.
Upgrading the processor does not require a PSU upgrade.
Did see significant performance improvment with the E8400, in everything, except gaming, as I'm not a gamer.
Regards to the E8300 it should work, as the CPU meets all specifications needed by the Inspiron 530, but there's always the 'X' factor.
Bev.
faries1987
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May 29th, 2012 13:00
I meant stick with the 300 W power supply (unless it appears I need one after installing the new graphics card, which I am looking at the low power HD 6670 or low power HD 7750). The processors I am looking at are all apparently 65 W.
faries1987
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May 29th, 2012 16:00
Thanks Bev for a prompt and excellent answer. Indeed, I have gleaned much of my starting information in my searches yesterday giving me your related posts over the years. In fact, I would likely be totally lost were it not for your several posts regarding the Inspiron 530 CPU upgrade.
As for memory, that is one reason I am at 3 GB, is that I understood my system could not take advantage of more than 3.0 or 3.5 GB, at 32 bit (and running Vista). I am a little confused when seeing other people with 32-bit systems having 4-8 GB RAM for gaming.
Back to the processor, one nuance that is moot and really not important is that the current Wolfdale processor E5300 2.6 GHz in the system is not on the list of processors (you give in those posts) for Insprion 530 G33M02. Though, there are some close and similar on the list. I was just wondering. Moreover, I noticed you went with the E8400 and not the E8500 or E8600, I guess because you found a reasonable price on the used E8400? I was also assuming that your list was in order of performance. It appears so, with the GHz, L2, and FSB increases
Intel Pentium Dual-Core 2140 (1.6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core 2160 (1.8 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200(2.5 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 (1.8 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 (2.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 (1.86 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 (2.13 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 (2.33 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 (2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)
Wolfdale Core 2 Duo, E8400, 3.0GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0
Wolfdale Core 2 Duo, E8500, 3.16GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, C0
I guess availability and cost may be an issue for the better processors for this older motherboard.
Lastly, thanks for the link to the benchmark. I had used that site to evaluate graphics cards but I forgot it also benchmarked CPUs. Looks like going from the E5300 to E8300 is about a 30% increase in the in the PassMark - CPU Mark, and would justify the $100. I am also assuming that the power requirement is about equal, and the upgrade would not tax my power supply more.
Back to CPU performance, as for your upgrade from the Core 2 Duo E6320 to the used Core 2 Duo E8400, what did you see in practice with performance. A noticeable improvement in surfing, applications, gaming, etc?
Thank you.
faries1987
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May 29th, 2012 16:00
Also Bev, and maybe most importantly, I did not see the E8300 on your list for the Insprion 530 G33M02, but I assume it is ok and with the latest BIOS updates.
faries1987
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May 29th, 2012 17:00
Bev, thanks for your replies. I just found a used E8400 for $90 from a top seller on Ebay. Cute cat, by the way. Have a great day.
shesagordie
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May 29th, 2012 17:00
faries1987
Glad to have been a help.
$90 an excellent price.
Her name is Bubbles and is one of three cats we have.
Bev.